Ashes luck turning England's way

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MICHAEL Carberry thought he'd done it again.

After getting through the hard yards of the new ball on day two in Perth, England's new opener miscued his pull shot and stood for a moment, his head down.

The ball hung in the air for what seemed like an age as three Australian fieldsmen, led by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, converged in the outfield.

Carberry turned his head, no doubt expecting his top edge to be swallowed. That's just the way this series had gone.

But the ball dropped safely, just out of reach of a desperate dive from Haddin, and at that moment it felt as though England's luck had changed.

Carberry trotted through for a single, cleared his head and went about the work of creating the kind of platform England required to get back into the series.

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His opening partnership of 85 with England skipper Alastair Cook was easily the most substantial contribution the pair had managed this series.

By the time Carberry departed, chopping a Ryan Harris delivery back onto his stumps for 43, Cook was on 40 but could have easily been back in the pavilion in the third over when he was dropped by third slip Steve Smith, having made just three.

It was an incredibly tough chance - Australia's first innings centurion diving full length to his left, but it's the kind of chance that's been sticking to Aussie hands all series.

Cook edged again a few overs later but this time the ball didn't carry to Michael Clarke at second slip, and Smith was unable to get there despite his best efforts diving across his captain.

Playing with soft hands, Carberry also edged into the slips cordon before he was fully established, but again the ball didn't carry.

When England bowled the Aussie tail out in the morning session, every edge was carrying into the cordon above chest height.

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And it wasn't just Aussie edges going to hand that started to signal a change in fortune - even hot spot came to England's rescue for the visitors' first successful review of the summer.

Having added just eight runs to his overnight score of 103, Smith got the thinnest of tickles on the inside edge of his bat from the bowling of Jimmy Anderson.

It carried through to Matt Prior and, despite a muffled appeal, Cook quickly signalled for a review and was rewarded by a tiny dot of light on the heat sensing camera, backed by appropriately timed undulations on snicko.

Smith was miffed. But he was gone, and so it seemed was the rub of the green enjoyed by the hosts for the first two Tests and the first day of the third.

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Live: third Ashes Test, day two

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ENGLAND skipper Alastair Cook has led his side's fightback in sweltering conditions on day two of the Third Test in Perth.

Cook (35no) has looked assured at the crease in his 100th Test, combining with Michael Carberry (35no) to lift the tourists to 0-72 midway through the second session, after dismissing Australia for 385.

Click here to see a full scoreboard, ball-by-ball commentary, stats and FoxTracker in our Match Centre.

With the temperature climbing above 40C, Mitchell Johnson (0-20) failed to create any significant chances in his five overs, but the rest of Australia's attack came close to ousting Carberry.

The left-hander survived after edging Ryan Harris just inches wide of Steve Smith before lunch, and later skied a hook shot off Peter Siddle that eluded a sprawling Brad Haddin.

Earlier, England made the ideal start to the day by claiming a breakthrough in just the second over of the morning, with Johnson nicking a straight ball from Stuart Broad on his overnight score of 39.

Smith was brought undone soon after, with England reviewing umpire Marais Erasmus' decision to turn down their appeal for caught behind off James Anderson.

While Hot Spot failed to show any significant mark, Snicko suggested there had indeed been an inside edge, bringing an end to a superb knock of 111 from the 24-year-old.

Siddle and Nathan Lyon provided some late resistance with a 31-run stand for the final wicket before Tim Bresnan claimed his first scalp of the series.

Follow the action in our live blog below, featuring videos, analysis and reaction from the ground and around the world via social media. Join the conversation by commenting at the top of the blog, or contact us on Twitter @FoxCricketLive.

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LIVE: Aussie wickets falling cheaply

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DAVID Warner and George Bailey continued the day's trend of soft dismissals as England reduced Australia to 5-154 in stifling conditions on the opening day of the Third Test in Perth.

Warner had formed the backbone of the home side's innings before spooning a cut shot straight to Michael Carberry at backward point on 60.

Needing to steady the ship, Bailey (7) could only manage to face 12 balls before he too succumbed, skying a hook to Kevin Pietersen off Stuart Broad.

Click here to see a full scoreboard, ball-by-ball commentary, stats and FoxTracker in our Match Centre.

Despite the pitch showing few signs of the predicted vicious pace and bounce, and the temperature climbing to a searing 39C, England looked on top in the field after taking wickets at regular intervals.

Chris Rogers (11), Shane Watson (18) and skipper Michael Clarke (24) all failed to cash in after reaching double figures.

The Aussies will need Steve Smith (22no) and Brad Haddin (6no) to show some fight, though Haddin was lucky to survive a skied pull shot that fell just short of Broad at long leg.

Swann (2-18) and Broad (2-54) have been the pick of the bowlers so far after Clarke won the toss and put England in the field.

Follow the action in our live blog below, featuring videos, analysis and reaction from the ground and around the world via social media. Join the conversation by commenting at the top of the blog, or contact us on Twitter @FoxCricketLive.

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Teams:

Australia - D Warner, C Rogers, S Watson, M Clarke (c), S Smith, G Bailey, B Haddin, M Johnson, P Siddle, R Harris, N Lyon.

England - A Cook (c), M Carberry, J Root, K Pietersen, I Bell, B Stokes, M Prior, S Broad, T Bresnan, G Swann, J Anderson.

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Bombers, AFL settle Hird pay spat

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<b>UPDATE:</b> <span id="U30584137841H1" style="font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;">ESSENDON will pay James Hird upfront for 2014, in keeping with the AFL's wishes the suspended coach not be paid next year.</span>

Essendon chairman Paul Little said the stalemate between the Bombers and the league had been resolved.

"To settle this impasse, the Essendon Football Club has resolved that it will pay James Hird in advance to cover the 2014 year consistent with Hird's employment contract obligations," Little said in a statement.

"This also meets the implied terms of the Deed of Settlement. The implied terms of the AFL sanction indicate that James Hird cannot be paid for a 12 month period therefore he will not be paid during the calendar period January 1 - December 31, 2014.

"The AFL has accepted the Essendon Football Club's position that James will not be paid in 2014, and equally the AFL have accepted that the Essendon Football Club has the right to make payments to James Hird in the 2013 year as it sees fit."

Earlier, a make-or-break showdown between James Hird and Andrew Demetriou looms after the AFL chief sensationally turned off the tap on millions of dollars in funding for the Bombers.

Hird's lawyer, Julian Burnside QC, warned Demetriou could be challenged in court if the AFL tried to force Essendon to stop paying Hird.

"What would be fascinating is if the AFL in fact force Essendon to stop paying James. If that happened, James will have a very good claim against the AFL for inducing a breach of contract," he told 3AW.

"Then we'll get Demetriou into the witness box and then we'll see what he says."

AFL HITS BOMBERS WHERE IT HURTS

However leaving his Toorak home this morning, Hird said he didn't believe the pay dispute would go to court.

"I don't think so," he said with a laugh.

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Key Essendon figures on Thursday night said the club's board was behind Hird in the escalating pay war.

The club is understood to be eager to state its case before the AFL Commission, amid anger over the league executive's unprecedented move.

"On principle, they (the AFL) are wrong,'' a club insider said.

Mark Thompson (centre) with players at Essendon training today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Limited

As the dispute reached crisis point, the Hird camp signalled it would fight to protect his right to his $1 million salary while serving his 12-month ban, adamant his agreed sanction was signed off with the AFL, not Essendon.

If the AFL does not agree to drop its funding freeze, the Bombers could take the league to the Supreme Court.

The latest bombshell in footy's supplements saga came after Tania Hird slammed Demetriou's claims that her husband was banned from receiving a salary, accusing the league of having a "total disregard for the truth" and calling on them to stop "threatening'' him and the club.

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Demetriou responded by announcing at 1.22pm on Thursday it was holding back discretionary funding, which could run into millions of dollars, to the club until it explained why it was paying Hird's wage.

READ THE AFL STATEMENT IN FULL

The AFL said it had written to the Bombers telling the club that Hird "could not work for any club in any capacity or receive a salary from any club".

Joe Daniher (left) and Paul Chapman at Essendon training today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Limited

The statement said: "AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou said AFL General Manager, Legal, Integrity and Compliance, Andrew Dillon had advised the Essendon FC in writing this week the clear intention from the outset of James Hird's 12-month suspension by the AFL was that he could not work for any club in any capacity or receive a salary from any club.

"Mr Demetriou said Mr Dillon was awaiting a formal reply from the club. Until that reply was received, the club has been informed the AFL will withhold an amount from regular AFL discretionary distributions to the Essendon FC each month."

Mr Demetriou, however, did not address Mrs Hird's earlier accusations.

It is understood the amount being withheld is a high percentage of AFL distributions to the club. The AFL's annual distribution to Essendon, in the year ending October 31, was $8.4 million.

James Hird's wife Tania Hird outside their home in Toorak. Source: News Limited

Hird's lawyer, Steven Amendola, hit back within an hour of the AFL statement, saying: "The AFL can write to the Essendon FC as much as it wants to about the agreed settlement. But it was very clear on the night (the August 27 hearing settlement) that Hird would be paid by the Essendon FC during his period of suspension.

Mark Thompson directs Essendon training today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Limited

"I am happy to elaborate on why it was clear he would be paid if the AFL want to continue to assert he wasn't going to be paid.'' Demetriou warned that the issue could be referred back to the commission next week if the club did not comply with its demands.

In her first public comments since footy's supplements scandal broke in February, Hird's wife, Tania, dismissed Demetriou's claims the coach was banned from receiving a salary.

"Of course he's being paid, that was the deal. We wouldn't have taken a sanction without pay, we would have taken the AFL to the Supreme Court and they knew that, Demetriou knew that," she said.

FURTHER REPORTS

AFL HITS BOMBERS WHERE IT HURTS

READ THE AFL STATEMENT IN FULL

STEVEN DANK LINK TO NRL PEPTIDE SCANDAL

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Not a Victory crisis - yet

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With one win in five, the spotlight is on Kevin Muscat as Victory host Glory. Here are your rd10 A-League previews.

Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory

7.30pm, Friday, 13 December

Live coverage on FOX Sports 1HD

It's not crisis time for Melbourne Victory - but with just one win in five, questions are starting to be asked. Kevin Muscat has faced a difficult start to his first senior coaching role; Victory are still playing the kind of football as under Ange Postecoglou but the goals aren't coming. Is it the system, the players or the coach?

Victory have failed to score in two of their past four games. Melbourne only failed to score four times in Postecoglou's 32-game tenure meaning Kevin Muscat is already halfway to this figure after only six games.

Melbourne's shooting accuracy has also slipped in recent weeks, with their total for the season now at 36.8 per cent, fifth in the league.

But while Muscat struggles to get to grips with his team, Alastair Edwards's young guns are look set to bloom. If Perth wins this weekend, it will reach 15 points, its second-most points after 10 games to start a season - although Glory are yet to win away this term.

Interestingly, though, Perth's kids are the equal-most fouled team, alongside Adelaide, and they have the second-worst effective tackle percentage this season at just 57.9 per cent.

Mark Rudan says: "It will be tough for Perth on the road but there is a lot to like about this Glory side they've got a lot of youngsters, there's no reason they can't get a result.

"For Melbourne, Pablo Contreras not living up to his hype. There is a lot expected of marquee men and so far he picked up a lot of cards and made rash challenges, costing his team goals and points; he needs to improve quickly. But I think Muscat's side can get over Perth."

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Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar

5:30pm (3:30pm AEDT), Saturday, 14 December

Live and exclusive coverage on FOX Sports 1HD

Winless Wellington host league-leaders Brisbane in a mismatch that must leave Phoenix fans hoping for a bit of travel sickness from the Roar.

Despite good performances, Ernie Merrick's side have struggled to score; the Phoenix has had 11 or more shots in all eight matches this season - the only team to do so - and average the most shots (15.1) and shots outside the box (8.1) per game, but have scored the second-least goals (8) in the competition.

Could it be any different for the visitors? Brisbane now boast the most wins of any team in the competition (98), have won seven of their first nine games, scoring 17 times - and have the most away wins for any team this season (3).

Mark Rudan says: "Wellington are in trouble - we're a third of the way through the season and they're yet to pick up a win. But they're playing some decent stuff. Last week it was their last performance of the season.

"One way to stop Roar, though, is to stop Besart Berisha. I don't think Brisbane played all that well in the first 45 minutes against Adelaide but when you've got someone like Berisha, I can't see the Roar not beating the Phoenix."

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Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners

5.00pm (5.30pm AEDT), Saturday, 14 December

Live and exclusive coverage on FOX Sports 1HD.

Good football without winning. Adelaide United has been following this narrative for so long, it's beginning to get a little boring. When will Josep Gombau's side translate style into substance?

The Reds are the only team to have had more than 50 per cent possession in all their matches, and possess the best pass-pressure rate, forcing their opponents into turnovers on 39 per cent of the passes they pressure. But they have also conceded a league-high 17 goals - 12 of which have come in the second half - and failed to keep a clean sheet in their past thirteen games.

The visitors, however, don't look to have lost their consistency too much under former no. 2 Phil Moss. Undefeated in their last three games, the Mariners have also have conceded just one goal and 10 shots per game across this period.

But there is work for Moss, particularly in the final third. The Mariners average the second-least balls into the penalty area (23) per game and a league-low 3.8 shots per game from outside the box.

Mark Rudan says: "Adelaide have to stop conceding. They're playing good stuff but while they concede they're always going to be in doubt. They're at home against a very good Central Coast side. They've got a chance at home.

"Adelaide are playing some decent stuff so if they can cut out those mistakes in the defensive third they've got every reason to win this game. I think Adelaide will win this game."

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Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers

7.30pm, Saturday, 14 December

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD.

With 15 points after nine Rounds, the Jets are enjoying their best start to a season. But with eight of their 11 goals coming in the second half, maintaining defensive focus appears crucial - that just happens to be the Wanderers' strength.

Tony Popovic appears to be facing his first big test at Western Sydney (as if winning the league in your debut season wasn't enough) as the Wanderers struggle to recapture their winning form - the club has never been four games without a win.

But they may prosper against the Jets; the Wanderers have conceded only seven goals from their first nine matches, conceding the fewest shots on target (3.3) per game and they are the only team not to concede from a set piece this season.

Mark Rudan says: "Nathan burns has been one of the standout performers, he almost single-handedly picked up three points against Victory. The Jets have changed the way they're playing, moving to a counter-attacking style, which means Burns is very important.

"The Wanderers are missing Tomi Juric; they're missing that big player who can bring the ball down and bring other players into the game."

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Sydney FC v Melbourne Heart

5:00pm, Sunday, 15 December

Live and exclusive broadcast on FOX Sports 1HD.

Despite its slow start, Sydney is enjoying a fine start; a win this week win would mean 18 points, the second-highest point total for its first 10 games of a season.

Despite that, the Sky Blues attack leaves something to be desired. They are last in the league for balls into the penalty area, averaging just 22.2 per game, with 7.7 shots from outside the box per game and just 5.3 shots from inside.

As for Heart - well, everyone knows the pain of John Aloisi's side. The question now is can Harry Kewell save their season?

Heart have now gone 14 games without a win and boast the worst shooting accuracy in the league, completed the second fewest passes and has the worst cross accuracy this season,

Mark Rudan says: "Sydney are playing well but they need to concert those opportunities and possession in to goals. They lacked that creativity around the edge of the 18 yard box. Nothing but three points will be good enough.

"Melbourne Heart do struggle away from home and Kewell was fantastic for 20 minutes last week. If he's got more game time he could be the difference."

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Faulkner out: breaks thumb in nets

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JAMES Faulkner suffered a broken thumb when hit on the hand in the nets on Thursday, ruling him out of the third Test.

Team doctor Peter Brukner said in a statement: "James was struck on the right thumb while batting in the nets and was subsequently taken for an X-ray which revealed a fracture of his thumb. As a result he wil not be available for the third Test."

Australia should now keep the same team which triumphed so convincingly in the first two Tests at Brisbane's Gabba and the Adelaide Oval.

Faulkner was 12th man for the first two Tests but considered a candidate on the speed friendly WACA pitch to replace Nathan Lyon.

Clarke said that the blow to Faulkner's hand "looked like a bit of a nasty hit."

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pulver not a fan of Quade boxing

Quade Cooper and Anthony Mundine announce their next fight in Brisbane. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited

QUADE Cooper might want to make the most of his latest bout in January, after ARU boss Bill Pulver made it clear he doesn't like the idea of the Wallabies' vice-captain combining rugby and boxing.

Cooper is slated to fight on Anthony Mundine's undercard on January 29 in Brisbane, but continuing his career in the ring could prove difficult, with the star five-eighth to negotiate a new deal with the ARU later next year.

Pulver said he couldn't be more impressed with Cooper's career turnaround in 2013, but indicated boxing could be off the table in future contract talks.

The ARU chief is against one of his most valuable commodities risking injury in another sport.

Australia's fly-half Quade Cooper runs with the ball against Wales. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK Source: AFP

"Quade has an agreement in place which does allow him to participate in that. Personally I'm not a huge fan of it, I've got to tell you. I wasn't around when that agreement was put in place,'' Pulver said.

"Quade in my mind has ... done a great job for Australian rugby throughout this year, I could not be more glowing in my praise of his personal performance over the course of the last six months.

"My personal preference would be he's not stepping into a ring but it is what it is.''

Cooper won his debut professional fight by knockout in February and showed potential as a boxer.

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

How the Blues will rise

Carlton's pre-season camp at the Grand Canyon. Source: Supplied

MICK Malthouse has highlighted a 25 per cent player turnover as the key component in a ladder ascent for Carlton next year.

Malthouse said from Arizona yesterday that the Blues would field a vastly more flexible outfit next year.

Recruits Dale Thomas and Andrejs Everitt who would help release players such as Andrew Walker, Chris Yarran and Simon White to forward roles when required.

SCROLL DOWN FOR MICK'S THOUGHTS ON A RANGE OF ISSUES

"There is a public viewpoint that looks at Chris Yarran as if he is 26-27, when he's still just 22. He has the ability to break games apart and that's what I love about him. So we will play him very much at both ends of the ground," Malthouse said.

BLUE DUIGAN RETIRES

"Andrew Walker the same, as good as he is for us off the backline. And Simon White is a young player in terms of games who we think can play well up forward. Everitt, (Andrew) McInnes and (Josh) Bootsma can play back.

"We have the three draftees plus a couple of Irish boys who show something so the list is changing shape."

Carlton on a hike. Source: Supplied

Malthouse was speaking after his seventh straight ascent of Humphreys Peak, the highest (3860m) mountain in Arizona, at a trip where players have been seriously challenged.

Last year the Blues walked up and down Grand Canyon, this year the walk up was replaced by a run and the trek up Humphreys Peak was intensified given the lateness of their arrival ensured waist deep snow for the last kilometre.

Malthouse, 60 last August, was typically front and square on the Humphreys Peak hike and his passion for the task at Carlton would seem typically feverish.

He readily admits the game style he arrived with Collingwood wasn't appropriate to the Carlton list so changes were made early on.

"You can't be pig-headed and stick with a game structure that suited Collingwood and took years to develop. I thought I could bring that to Carlton but after four-five weeks in concluded it wasn't working," said Malthouse.

"So I started to look at what was working and what wasn't working, to fit in with the capabilities of the players in my squad."

As for whether the year received a pass mark or not, Malthouse described his team as "highly competitive given we generally fought out most games as evidenced against Richmond and Port late in the year'.

"I haven't really looked at it as a pass or failure mark. Collingwood was on the bottom when I took them over but that didn't reflect on my attitude towards trying to get the best out of the players in 2000.

"It's more about starting at ground zero and working forward and there were some restrictions, we were tight on the salary cap and player movement and only had three players come in with Troy Menzel, Nick Graham and Tom Temay.

The Blues hit the snow. Source: Supplied

"This year with recruits, draftees, rookies and the Irish we have had a 25 per cent swing around. That is more reflective of my coaching in the past, you just keep working towards making the list more appropriate to what you want.

"And that is nothing against the players who have left because people such as Shaun Hampson and Eddie Betts are fine young men."

Malthouse gives every indication of being extremely at ease with his current position as he enters the second season of a three-year contract.

He is comfortable with a senior coaching group in Rob Wiley, Dean Laidley, John Barker and Brad Green, assistants in Luke Webster, Michael Osborne and Matthew Capuano plus a fitness department headed by David Buttifant, a combination he describes as "winners".

He has enjoyed the pre-season demeanour of Bryce Gibbs, a player he believes can take his game to yet another level despite a year where he "had some fantastic games on some really classy opponents".

Malthouse likes to judge players when they play on the best and when they play on a big occasion.

Troy Menzel is a highly competitive kid who he has seen good signs in while Matthew Kreuzer is displaying a mindset that tells him he wants to succeed as both a ruckman and forward.

MICK MALTHOUSE ON

Dale Thomas:

"I think because he is a lot stronger and more mature now he can play more positions. Some players say they want surety in their position whereas Dale grows in stature when you throw him a challenge and say there are going to be four-five positions that you could occupy today. So you will see him in the goal square, on the half back line, the middle, the wing, as a loose player."

Leadership:

"What I want the players to do is feel comfortable to stand in front of their teammates and say I want to be part of the leadership group. Last year our leaders learnt the trade of leadership and going forward. I'd be very surprised if the players who led (Marc Murphy, Andrew Carazzo and Kade Simpson) aren't the highest voted players. That will take place late January."

The draw:

"I don't always agree with Andrew Demetriou but I do admire him and remember him saying something like the draw won't stop you from making it and it won't stop you from not making it. I don't get caught up in draw particularly given there are only five sides you play twice (Port Adelaide, Geelong, Essendon, St Kilda and Collingwood) while in yesteryear you could play seven of eight sides twice."

A short break:

"It has been very challenging because we are coming here later with a short Christmas break. We are caught in between because of where we finished on the ladder (sixth) as having the same break as Hawthorn and Freo yet they went an extra couple of weeks. So we have to be very smart in making up the time and not be silly and lose players."

14.24 | 0 komentar | Read More

Furner races to join Cowboys

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KANGAROOS assistant coach David Furner has wasted no time in joining North Queensland as he attempts to put his axing from Canberra behind him.

Fresh from Australia's victorious World Cup campaign in the UK, Furner arrived back in Canberra last Wednesday and jumped on a plane the next day to Townsville to take up his gig with the Cowboys.

Furner, who has made way for Ricky Stuart at the Raiders, will be a key ally to new rookie Cowboys coach Paul Green next year following Neil Henry's controversial axing.

And he said he was keen to get involved at the Cowboys as soon as he could.

"We finished off the campaign with Australia on Saturday I was back in Canberra on Wednesday and jumped on a plane on Thursday, I just wanted to get involved as soon as possible and move up here as quickly as possible," Furner told reporters on Monday.

New North Queensland Cowboys coaches David Furner and Paul Green. Photo: Evan Morgan Source: News Limited

"I was with the Australia side for a seven, eight week tour at the end of which we played a very good brand of football which was good to be part of. But the focus now is my job here and the support for Greeny, so I'm looking forward to it." Cowboys stars Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, James Tamou and Brent Tate were all part of the Kangaroos' successful campaign and they won't return to training until mid-January.

"There were very good all four were ... the contribution from the Cowboys guys was fantastic," he said.

"They have earnt a break, I am just looking forward to working with them." Furner revealed he would take over the defensive coaching duties next season.

"At this stage I'll be working with the defensive side ...

that's why I have come up here," he said.

"Obviously I've had that experience in that (head) position before but it is about what Greeny wants and what the team needs and that's why I'm here.

Meanwhile Furner's former club the Raiders have engaged the services of sports physician and administrator Dr Peter Fricker to conduct a high performance review of the club's football operations ahead of the 2014 season.

Dr Fricker said he would take a couple of weeks to speak to all of the club's football staff across all areas and provide a set of recommendations which could help improve certain aspects of the organisation.

The Raiders had a disappointing season, finishing 13th.

Their year was marred by a number of off-field distractions with State of Origin players Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson sacked at different stages in 2013.

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Ex-EPL star arrested over fixing

Blackburn Rovers' DJ Campbell has been arrested over a match-fixing probe in England. Source: Stephen Pond / AFP

FORMER Barclays Premier League striker, DJ Campbell, was on Sunday among six people arrested by police in the wake of The Sun's English football match-fixing investigation.

Campbell, now plays for Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, but has enjoyed stints EPL clubs Blackpool, Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham.

The 32-year-old was held by officers from the National Crime Agency after a series of early morning raids, the Sun reports.

The probe centres around a booking he received in the 23rd minute of a game against Ipswich Town for a challenge on Aaron Cresswell.

Footage of the tackle has been set to police probing the evidence uncovered during The Sun on Sunday's four-month investigation.

Campbell is the most high-profile figure to be arrested to date.

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Live: Adelaide Test, day four

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ENGLAND is relying on its tail to save the second Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval.

Joe Root's dismissal for 87 has left the tourists struggling at 5-186 with 18 overs left in the day's play.

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ULTIMATE ASHES QUIZ

Check out our Match Centre for a full scoreboard, live stats and FoxTracker.

Test debutant Ben Stokes is on 12 and out-of-form wicketkeeper Matt Prior on 10.

England's top five batsmen are back in the pavilion, with Aussie paceman Peter Siddle the major wicket-taker with two.

Root was unlucky to lose his wicket, being caught behind by a diving Brad Haddin after getting an inside edge to Nathan Lyon which slammed into his pads before rebounding to the Australian keeper.

Root batted defiantly for 267 minutes, facing 194 balls in his gritty stay.

Follow the action in our live blog below, featuring videos, analysis and reaction from the ground and around the world. Join the conversation by leaving a comment at the top of the blog, or get in touch on Twitter via @FoxCricketLive.

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Even their celebration's confused

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CRICKET Confidential takes a different view of the third day of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide, as Australia blows the game wide open.

SMILING ASSASIN

Joe Root batted beautifully for his 87 on Sunday as Mitchell Johnson, for the first time all series, met some resistance from England's batsmen.

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Johnson has feasted on confrontation throughout his two Test blitzkrieg, but when he tried to get Root engaged in some verbals on Sunday, all he got back was the flash of the Ellen DeGeneres lookalike's pearly whites.

So it turns out, Root's smile is as as poweful as his cover drive.

You started to wonder if a good natured batsman might just be Super Mitch's kryptonite.

Joe Root refused to take Mitchell Johnson's bait in a well made 87. Photo: Ryan Pierse Source: Getty Images

SHAZAM TURNS TO SNAIL

For a time during the first and second sessions, Root and Kevin Pietersen looked set to stage the kind of partnership to have the Aussies mulling Faf du Plessis's amazing escape in Adelaide last year.

But while things were going like clockwork with bat in hand, Root and KP weren't quite in sync when it came to celebrating their small victories.

Always the cool customer, KP's a regular exponent of the mid-pitch shazam favoured by the great West Indies sides of the 80s and 90s.

Root's more of a preppie - inclined to roll out an open palm for a quick slap or a handshake.

But it gets a bit messy when the two differing methods come together.

Call it the snail, call it the pineapple - it's just one more thing the English need to work out in the sheds.

Kevin Pietersen and Joe Root mess up their celebration. Source: FoxSports

TWEETS OF THE DAY

After predicting a 5-0 whitewash in England's favour, former British newspaper editor and current talk show host in America Piers Morgan hasn't had an awful lot to gloat about.

But that hasn't stopped the prolific Twit from sledging every current and former Aussie cricketer he can think of, and on Sunday he might have taken the banter a little bit too far.

After suggesting the England side show a bit more ticker in facing Mitchell Johnson, Morgan amped up the bravado by accepting a challenge to face one of the fastest bowlers of all time.

Even then, he managed to make out that he was a Test quality batsmen.

Amazing stuff!

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Duff Man and friends enjoy a beer on day four at the Adelaide Test.

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